In a show of solidarity and support, San Diego’s Anywhere Pickleball has teamed up with the Ukrainian Pickleball Federation (UPF) to unveil the Freedom Fighter Paddle. This USA Pickleball-approved paddle is crafted for competitive play and aims to back pickleball enthusiasts in Ukraine. The paddle’s design proudly displays the blue and yellow hues of the Ukrainian flag, along with the national symbols of the Leleka, or white stork, and the Tryzub, Ukraine’s trident emblem. It also bears a line from the renowned Ukrainian poet Taras Shevchenko, translated to “Fight and you shall overcome,” and was designed by Ukrainian artists Dasha Volkova and Andrii Voloshyn, currently residing in the Netherlands.
Since June 2025, Anywhere Pickleball has been the UPF’s first American strategic partner, supporting various Ukrainian pickleball events. Notably, they lent their backing to the First Ukrainian Veterans Pickleball Championship held in Kyiv from March 31 to April 5, 2026. This tournament attracted 104 combat veterans from 20 regions of Ukraine, with the Freedom Fighter Paddle serving as the official paddle and being awarded to the Fantastic Team recipients, two combat amputees from the Sumy region who secured a bronze medal.
Angus Wong, founder of Anywhere Pickleball, expressed that the partnership mirrors the company’s belief in sports as a means to uplift communities affected by war. With a “Gift 1, Get 1” model, for each Freedom Fighter Paddle purchased, an identical one is donated to a Ukrainian pickleball player through the UPF. This initiative extends to corporate customers buying paddles for employee gifts, client recognition, or social responsibility efforts, ensuring Ukrainian players benefit from the same arrangement.
Volodymyr Svirskii, President of the UPF, remarked that this initiative could foster the growth of pickleball in Ukraine while promoting participation and achievement among players. Anna Glotova, UPF co-founder and Director of Strategic Partnerships, added that sports can offer avenues for connection and recovery for those living with life-altering injuries. The Freedom Fighter Paddle is available for purchase online, and corporate inquiries can be directed to Anywhere Pickleball’s contact information.
Legal Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article has been provided by independent third-party contributors, clients, or content partners. We do not independently verify the accuracy, completeness, legality, ownership, licensing, or reliability of submitted content, including text, images, videos, trademarks, or other media materials. The submitting party is solely responsible for ensuring that all content, including images and media assets, complies with applicable copyright, trademark, licensing, and intellectual property laws. We disclaim liability for any unauthorized use of copyrighted or proprietary materials by third parties. If you believe that any content published on this platform infringes your intellectual property rights, kindly contact the author above for prompt review and resolution.